April 15, 2005 Vol. 44, No. 9 Spaceport News John F. Kennedy Space Center - America’s gateway to the universe http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/snews/spnews_toc.html Explore. Discover. Understand. Nation watches Discovery's roll out to launch pad

First motion stirs NASA'S SPACE Shuttle Discovery rests at Launch Pad 39B after its emotions of work four-mile crawl from the VAB. force

ASA’s Space Shuttle Discovery arrived at its Nlaunch pad April 7 at 12:30 a.m., completing the next major milestone for Return to Flight of America’s Space Shuttle program. “My personal feeling is just one of elation,” said Mike Leinbach, Space Shuttle Program launch director. “We’ve been working hard. We haven’t seen a Shuttle in the light of day in almost two and a half years. “But it’s not about how I feel, or about how the people at KSC feel; it’s about how the American people feel. There are folks across this country who support our program with their heart and soul.” Discovery arrived approxi- mately three hours later than planned. The slight delay was AT RIGHT, Discovery, atop the Mobile Launcher Platform, slowly caused when Shuttle processing rolls out of the Vehicle Assembly Building April 6. First motion was at team members had to replace a 2:04 p.m. Programmable Logic Controller BELOW, the structures on Launch Pad 39B (left) and the Mobile (PLC) circuit card on the Crawler Launcher Platform carrying Discovery glow with lights. Transporter during the final leg of its journey. The PLC is an indicator that relays height measurements to the Crawler’s operators while it’s in motion. Discovery’s first motion started April 6 at 2:04 p.m. inside the VAB. Once outside, the orbiter was greeted by employ- ees lining the surrounding area as it made its four-mile journey to Launch Pad 39B. Once in place at the launch pad, the Shuttle team continued preparating Discovery for its scheduled launch, set for a window of May 15 - June 3. Page 2 SPACEPORT NEWS April 15, 2005 space to perform a one-of-a-kind committee for the tremendously test of a fully robotic system that successful, fun and entertaining could pave the way for missions picnic held last Saturday. I know allowing computers to do the we all had a great day with The future driving in space. family and friends and great The new technology will Florida weather (thanks, John allow a spacecraft to pinpoint Madura). Awards Kennedy and rendezvous with another It also served as our Return to craft without human guidance — Flight kickoff rally, with people a technology that could help take receiving bus trips out to the pad Update humans back to the Moon and to see the Shuttle. We had Jim Kennedy eventually to Mars and beyond. parachutists, great music, food, Center Director This is such an exciting time drinks, kids’ games, the works. to work in the space business. Basically, everything you’d ever reetings, everyone! conditions. We are working with current want in a picnic. Wasn’t April 6 an After this, the next major technology like the Space Shuttle Phil couldn’t have done this Gexciting day at KSC with milestone is in the last week of alone. It took the rollout of Space Shuttle April when we have a full launch "The next major milestone is in the last hundreds of volun- Discovery to Launch Pad 39B? dress rehearsal, which includes week of April when we have a full teers and months of My congratulations to the entire the STS-114 crew actually launch dress rehearsal." planning. To you all: Shuttle team for all their hard strapping into the orbiter and thanks to making a work the past two and a half simulating a launch. These are while laying the groundwork for sacrifice of your time so the rest years arriving at this day. exciting days at KSC and NASA, missions to take place 50 years of us could have a great day. We Discovery sure looks great and for our nation as a whole. from now. Good luck to our work very hard at KSC and it’s out at the pad, its rightful place, Keep up the great work; Launch Services Program, nice to able to play hard once in as we work toward the launch America is behind you 100 Marshall Space Flight Center and a while; last Saturday fit the bill between May 15 – June 3. percent. the entire DART team on the nicely. So again, thanks to Phil As I sent my column to press, Today, at approximately 1:30 launch. and all the volunteers. the very important External Tank p.m. local time, if you watch A huge pat on the back goes Have a great week, everyone, test was to have taken place NASA TV or click on the NASA to Phil Bernardo and the entire and GO DART and GO Thursday. While we expect Web site, you will see the KSC All American Picnic DISCOVERY! everything to go great, the exciting launch of DART on a Shuttle team just wanted to see Pegasus rocket from Vandenberg how the redesigned tank foam Air Force Base in California. Respected author Covey discusses would react under “game day” NASA will throw a “dart” into successful traits with management IN THE Vehicle Assembly April Employees of the Month Building, author Stephen Covey (center) looks up at the External Tank/Solid Rocket Boosters stack for mission STS-114. Human Resources Director Pat Simpkins (left) and NASA Space Shuttle Atlantis Vehicle Manager Scott Thurston accompanied Covey in the VAB. Covey and his executive assistant, Julie McAllister (at Covey's right), recently toured the Center.

COVEY ALSO spent time discussing his book, "The 8th Habit." Seated next to Covey are, from left, Deputy Director SITTING IN the front row, from left, are: Shea Gaudart, Human Woodrow Resources Office; Diana Calero, ELV and Payload Carriers Program; Whitlow Jr. Genger Thorn, Chief Financial Office. Standing in the back row, from and Center left, are: Dan Tran, Information Technology and Communication Director Jim Services; and John Brand, Safety and Mission Assurance. Kennedy. April 15, 2005 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3 Gill harmonizes Space Station elements testing

By Linda Herridge 2) payload. “I always wanted to work Staff Writer This involved testing the on the space program at prototype avionics with the KSC,” said Gill. “I’m going racy Gill, an engineering International Space Station (ISS) to continue to help make integrator with the Interna- and Space Shuttle simulators in things more cost effective Ttional Space Station/ the Space Station Processing and improve our checkout Payloads Processing directorate, Facility high bay to validate the systems and processes as we looks forward to the day when design. Gill worked with repre- move forward.” some of the recent payloads he’s sentatives from 30 different When he’s not processing worked on are included in a countries, including Russia, payloads, Gill describes Space Shuttle mission. Taiwan, Italy and Switzerland. himself as a big University of Gill, who has supported He also worked with Johnson Florida Gators football fan. payloads processing for 15 Space Center in Houston and About 10 years ago, he years, coordinates and imple- Marshall Space Flight Center in acquired an uncle’s old 1967 ments requirements primarily for Huntsville, Ala., to coordinate Volkswagon Beetle. After science and research payloads. the tests. restoring it, he began He completed his duties for According to Gill, AMS-2, participating in classic car several STS-121 science and currently scheduled for a 2008 shows and competitions. research elements. These include Space Shuttle flight, is a massive Gill enjoys mentoring the European Modular Cultiva- electromagnet with hundreds of students and recently took a tion System and the Minus thousands of detectors that will group inside the Orbiter Eighty-Degree Laboratory be attached to the ISS truss TRACY GILL of the ISS/Payloads Processing Facility to view Processing directorate was recently Freezer, both provided by the structure S3. AMS-2 will attract Discovery. He mentored recognized for his work. European Space Agency. particles to measure the speed Stephanie Stilson, who is now the “I’m happy these and other and curvature as they pass Kennedy Space Center career in flow manager for Discovery. payloads will finally be deliv- through the array in order to 1990. He worked on Spacelab Gill received a Bachelor of ered to the Station, and I’m detect new types of particles. integrated processing, including Science degree in electrical excited about Return to Flight,” “Tracy is a multi-talented the last Spacelab mission, engineering from the University Gill said. worker with superior technical NeuroLab, and an Express Rack of Florida in Gainesville in 1989 For his skills in coordinating competence,” said Todd Arnold, prototype. Later, he worked on and a master’s in space systems an important test, Gill earned his ISS Engineering Integration several ISS Express Racks, from Melbourne’s Florida Tech directorate’s February employee chief. “He has been instrumental including the first two Express in 1994. He received a master’s of the month award. He success- in leading integrated testing for Racks delivered to the Station. in aerospace engineering from fully implemented a functional ISS and Space Shuttle research He also worked on the Human the University of Florida in 2000. integrated test for the Alpha payloads for many years.” Research Facility-2 (an STS-114 Gill and his wife, Michele, Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS- Gill started his NASA- element). have a one-year-old son, Aaron. Thompson's leadership recognized by NASA, Texas State By Jennifer Wolfinger world are excited about what we Patrick E. Cassidy. This Staff Writer do.” new direction also pre- This award joins her presti- sented an opportunity to efore Karen Thompson gious NASA Exceptional Service teach undergraduate began her 16-plus years at Medal, KSC Invention of the chemistry lab courses. BNASA, she demonstrated Year Award, the Distinguished She was selected to leadership at Texas State Univer- Patent Award in 1997 for the work with Dr. G. Ronald sity while earning a Bachelor of best patent involving the Los Husk, the U.S. Army Science degree in chemistry. Alamos National Laboratory, two Research Office’s director Today she supports the Agency’s Space Act Awards and many of polymer research, discovery goals as Kennedy’s others. during his one-year Exploration Office technology Additionally, she has chaired sabbatical at the university. and science manager. national and international This resulted in Thompson, In February, she received the symposia, written a book chapter Husk and Cassidy co- university’s Distinguished for the American Chemical authoring a paper in the Alumna Award for her ongoing Society, and given numerous publication Macromol- accomplishments. invited papers and presentations ecules describing “I feel honored to be recog- throughout the world. polyimide studies for KAREN THOMPSON received Texas State nized in such a special way,” During her senior year in protecting the military from University's Distinguished Alumna Award said the native Texan. “This is a college, Thompson changed her chemical warfare agents. credit to NASA in that we are major from pre-med to chemistry She also leads a full personal her husband, retired research engaged in such interesting and in order to pursue her passion for life as stepmom to Daniel, 22, chemist Dr. Corley M. Thomp- excellent work that people research and to work with and Annette, 20, who has throughout the country and the leading polymer chemist Dr. cerebral palsy. Thompson and (See THOMPSON, Page 5) Page 4 SPACEPORT NEWS April 15, 2005 2005 KSC All American Picnic showcase By Jeff Stuckey which was greeted by a loud Editor cheer. “I also want to sincerely thank the Return to Flight team. ot only did the 2005 KSC God bless you all, and please All American picnic have a great day at your picnic.” Nfeature classic Florida Guests of the picnic were weather, but it also gave given an opportunity to take a Kennedy Space Center employ- bus tour to see Discovery at ees a great opportunity to savor Launch Pad 39B. delicious foods, play carnival- “The combination of perfect style games and enjoy each weather, the excitement of other’s genuine company and having a Space Shuttle arrive at hospitality. the pad three days earlier, and “I want to welcome all of you the wonderful support and to today’s picnic,” said Center enthusiasm of the picnic team Director Jim Kennedy at the and numerous volunteers all Return to Flight rally that worked together to make this one followed the welcoming parade. of the best picnics ever,” said “This picnic would not be Phil Bennardo of the Spaceport possible without people like Engineering and Technology (picnic chairperson) Phil directorate. Bennardo, and he will be the first “From everything I saw, to tell you he could not do it everyone had a good time,” he alone. It’s Phil and more than said. “In spite of all the work 500 volunteers who make it involved, the picnic team had a possible.” good time, too.” But most importantly, this Shuttle Program Manager Bill year’s picnic celebrated the Parsons told those at the rally Space Shuttle Program’s Return how much appreciation he has THE 2005 KSC All American Picnic was held April 9 at KARS Park I, where employees a to Flight. The motto “KSC and for the work force. carnival-type games (above), enjoying a variety of delicious food and socializing with ea proud to be” was very evident at “Jim Kennedy and all the the event. folks at the Kennedy Space KSC team and this will be the “It’s a beautiful day for a “When we reviewed plans for Center have done a great job,” safest vehicle we’ve ever flown, picnic. We had a great time,” she the picnic four months ago, we Parsons said. “We’ve talked no doubt about it.” said. “This is about our seventh realized we would be so privi- about STS-114, but we can’t Among the employees having (KSC) picnic and my kids really leged to have Discovery sitting forget about STS-121. Atlantis is a great day was Diane Stees, a enjoyed themselves. We’re also on the launch pad if all went being processed and without it Shuttle Processing employee who very excited about Return to well,” Kennedy said. “As of three being on schedule, we can’t shared the afternoon with her Flight.” days ago, we have Discovery on launch 114. I have all the husband, Rick, and two children, Another crowd favorite was the launch pad. Go Discovery,” confidence in the world in the Dana and Evan. the Chili Cookoff. The contest’s “Best of Show” title was awarded to the Mudbugs, with team members from Launch TH Operations and the KSC Fire sm Department. The “People’s Choice” award went to the IT Cosmic Chili Lab of the Infor- mation Technology and Commu- nications Services Directorate. By winning “People’s Choice,” the IT team donated proceeds to Brevard Hospice and Palliative Care of Viera. The Raiders of the Lost Chili from the Chief Financial Office won “Best Exotic Chili” and “Best Storefront.” BILL PARSONS (at microphone), The picnic committee has Space Shuttle Program manager created a feedback survey at and Jim Kennedy (left), Center http:// director, led the Return to Flight rally www.kscpicnic.ksc.nasa.gov. at this year's picnic. April 15, 2005 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 5 es beautiful weather, Return to Flight

THUNDERHAWK ENTERPRISES educated picnic guests CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES included a carousel, jumping about the plight of nearly extinct animals. tents, carnival games, face painting and much more.

WELCOMING THE crowd from left are Center Director Jim Kennedy (waving), Deputy Director Woodrow Whitlow (facing opposite direction) and Associate Director Jim Hattaway (with hat).

and family members spent the day playing ach other.

THE NEXT generation of explorers test their limits at the picnic.

THE WINNING storefront in the Chili Cookoff was THOMPSON . . . She answered questions from created by the Chief top science and engineering Financial Office (left). (Continued from Page 3) students, toured the campus and son, enjoy spending time with gave a presentation about the HOUSANDS OF guests at this year's picnic enjoyed a delicious lunch served by their family. Vision for Space Exploration. miling faces. Proud of its graduate, the The festivities concluded with a university now permanently formal Scholarship Gala where exhibits Thompson’s biography she addressed more than 300 and photo at the campus. While attendees. recently visiting the campus, Now, Thompson looks she was showered with justifi- forward to NASA’s future. She able attention, as Thompson is said, “It is exciting to see KSC now part of an elite group. In employees selected to perform 1959, Texas State’s first research and development work Distinguished Alumnus Award for such areas as ground was presented to former systems development on Earth, President Lyndon B. Johnson, technologies allowing extended who was a state senator at the stays and important operations time. on the Moon, technology Thompson met with the concepts to be tested on the university and alumni associa- Moon for later applications for tion presidents, as well as the human missions to Mars, and dean of sciences and vice technologies for robotic president of academic affairs. missions to Mars and beyond.” Page 6 SPACEPORT NEWS April 15, 2005 NASA's DART previews robotic technology of future

ASA will throw a “dart” boost DART into a 472-mile high into space to perform a orbit, where it will pass over None-of-a-kind test of a each pole approximately every fully robotic system that could 100 minutes. The DART space- pave the way for missions when craft is approximately 6 feet computers will do the driving in long, 3 feet in diameter, and space. weighs roughly 800 pounds with The DART mission - short for fuel. Demonstration of Autonomous Once on orbit, DART will Rendezvous Technology - will travel around the Earth to allow a spacecraft to pinpoint rendezvous with its target: the and rendezvous with another Multiple Paths, Beyond-Line-of- craft without human guidance, a Site Communications experimen- technology that could help take tal communications satellite. humans back to the Moon and The 105-pound target eventually to Mars and beyond. satellite, built by Orbital Sci- Launch is planned April 15 ences Corp. and launched in from Vandenberg Air Force 1999, was designed for use with Base, Calif. a video guidance system such as Next comes a demonstration the Advanced Video Guidance in space of the entire autono- IN PREPARATION for launch, technicians at Vandenberg AFB in California Sensor onboard DART. mous rendezvous system. The check the placement of the first fairing half around the Demonstration of Flight demonstrators like Autonomous Rendezvous Technology (DART) spacecraft. The fairing will 24-hour DART mission will be encapsulate DART and protect it while on the launch pad and during ascent. DART will help lay the ground- accomplished without human work for future reusable manned intervention. DART uses the Advanced craft. and unmanned launch vehicle The ability of unpiloted Video Guidance Sensor to “see” DART hardware and software missions using autonomous spacecraft to dock in space can and to determine a spacecraft’s technologies are integrated into rendezvous operations, as NASA assist in delivering equipment exact location. Pegasus, a commercially devel- pursues technologies that will and supplies to the International It then feeds the information oped space launch vehicle. The enable the Agency to achieve its Space Station, as well as con- to its “brain,” the Automated Pegasus, with the DART space- goals of establishing safe, ducting service missions to the Rendezvous and Proximity craft aboard, will be launched reliable and affordable access to Station. Operation software, which from its Stargazer L-1011 space. The technology also could performs calculations and aircraft about 39,000 feet over For more information about help when retrieving satellites or commands the spacecraft to turn, the Pacific Ocean. DART, visit http:// servicing civil, defense or throttle, brake and make deci- After Pegasus is released with www.msfc.nasa.gov/news/dart. commercial space vehicles. sions to rendezvous with another the DART spacecraft, it will Florida enjoys NASA's economic benefits n fiscal year 2004, covering Florida counties. the period from Oct. 1, 2003, “This report is designed to Ithrough Sept. 30, 2004, inform the various Kennedy Space Center and other local economic development NASA centers injected $1.5 agencies, government groups, billion and $1.4 billion respec- our stakeholders and the commu- tively into the Florida and nity of the total economic impact Brevard County economies to of the Kennedy Space Center and support NASA activities at KSC, NASA to our local area and to mainly through space program the state,” said Napoleon Carroll, operations. These amounts KSC’s chief financial officer. represented a 5-percent increase “The impact is significant and over their 2003 levels according a consistent annual analysis to a report prepared by KSC’s provides detailed information for Chief Financial Office. planning and reporting the KSC and other NASA centers effects of this injection of funds County and another 8.6 percent $629 million in fiscal year 2004. awarded 821 contracts in Florida into our region.“ commuted from other Central The total economic impact of in this period, with 92 percent of The total number of KSC on- Florida counties. NASA in Florida was $3.3 billion KSC/NASA spending concen- site workers was 14,500, with 86 Employees at KSC received a in output, $1.6 billion in house- trated on-site at KSC. Total KSC/ percent of the total employed by total of $871 million in spend- hold income and 33,000 jobs. NASA direct spending was $25 prime contractors. Among that able earnings. Commodity This activity also generated $166 million in other Central Florida number, 90 percent of the on-site purchases by KSC and other million of federal taxes and $76 counties and $72 million in other work force lived in Brevard NASA centers in Florida totaled (See ECONOMIC, Page 7) April 15, 2005 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 7 Remembering Our Heritage 'Live via satellite' became a reality with Early Bird

By Kay Grinter to relay radio, televi- Reference Librarian sion, teletype and telephone messages orty years have passed between North since the world’s first America and Europe. Fcommercial communica- The satellite tions satellite, Early Bird, was provided almost 10 launched and the expression times the capacity of “live via satellite,” so well- the submarine tele- known to television viewers, was phone cables in use for born. about a tenth of the Launch took place on April 6, price. 1965, from Cape Kennedy on a Early Bird provided three-stage, thrust-augmented the first scheduled Delta rocket. The satellite took transoceanic television up its geosynchronous orbit over service, as planned. A DELTA launch vehicle (left) lifts off at Launch the Atlantic Ocean later that One of the first Complex 17A carrying Early Bird, the world s first month. ' dramatic broadcasts commercial satellite. Above, two engineers inspect On the business front, the gave European doctors the 85-pound communication satellite. groundwork had been laid to a live, over-the- manage the American satellite shoulder view as an American viewers in Hawaii was especially The organizations created to network, as well as the existing surgeon operated on a heart. exciting because they no longer manage the operation and use of ground stations in the United In another broadcast, NBC had to wait to see television Early Bird had contributed to the Kingdom, France, Germany, anchorman Chet Huntley programs being broadcast on the development of legal principles Italy, Brazil and Japan. “teamed” for the first time with mainland. that fostered international International agreements his counterpart in London, Participants in the World cooperation. were finalized, creating the Richard Dimbleby, to report the Peace through Law Conference Early Bird was operational for International Telecommunica- news. in Washington, D.C., in Septem- three and a half years. tions Satellite (INTELSAT) And a “Town Meeting of the ber 1965 noted that advances in In 1984, the satellite was Organization on Aug. 20, 1964. World” linked statesmen in New international communications, reactivated briefly to celebrate The 85-pound, Hughes-built York, London and Paris for a including the Early Bird satellite, the 20th anniversary of the Early Bird satellite - also know panel discussion about the war in could be counted among the International Telecommunica- as INTELSAT I - had 240 voice- Vietnam. important milestones on the road tions Satellite Organization. grade channels and was designed The impact on television to world peace. NASA astronaut candidates tour Center ECONOMIC . . . state business and government (Continued from Page 6) personnel that travel to KSC to conduct business, and sales to million of state and local taxes. out-of-state visitors at the Visitor All KSC/NASA activities Complex. injected $1.52 billion of outside The analysis is conducted at money into Florida’s economy. three geographic levels: Brevard This total consisted of $890 County; the Central Florida million in direct earnings region, which includes Brevard, payments to households and Flagler, Lake, Orange, Osceola, $629 million in purchases from Seminole and Volusia counties; contractors. and the state. At the state level, each direct KSC managed 475 separate job at KSC was multiplied into contracts in 2004 valued at $800 2.28 total jobs. In addition to million for the fiscal year. While NASA’s spending on space a large proportion (78 percent) program operations, there are a of KSC’s total procurement number of other activities dollars were concentrated in the directly associated with KSC that five largest contracts, more than THE 2004 class of astronaut candidates gather inside the Vehicle Assembly add to its total impact on the Building in early April as part of familiarization tours. The class of 14 half of KSC awards were for economy. These include the candidates includes three candidates from JAXA and three educator small contracts ($25,000 or less). astronauts. travel expenditures of out-of- Page 8 SPACEPORT NEWS April 15, 2005 Stars to shine at Astronaut Hall of Fame induction he world’s first untethered satellites Westar VI and Palapa spacewalker, an astronaut B2 that were deployed soon after Twho snared two crippled Challenger lifted off that month. satellites and a Space Shuttle Joe Allen put the backpack commander who overcame an pioneered by McCandless to engine failure will be inducted practical use in November 1984 into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of when Discovery roared into Fame on April 30 at Kennedy space on the first space salvage Space Center’s Visitor Complex. mission, to recover Westar VI Twenty Hall of Fame astro- and Palapa B2. Commander Rick nauts, including Jim Lovell and Hauck steered the Shuttle close John Young, will gather to to Palapa B2, then Allen and welcome Bruce McCandless, Joe Dale Gardner slipped outside Allen and Gordon Fullerton into while wearing spacesuits, and their ranks. Allen moved without a tether to This elite group of inductees the satellite. He latched onto it is among only 60 astronauts to and moved it into position above be honored in the Hall of Fame the cargo bay. THE FOURTH group of and the fourth group of Space For 90 minutes, Allen held Space Shuttle astronauts to Shuttle astronauts to be included. aloft the 1,200-pound payload be inducted in the U.S. The inductees were selected while Gardner worked on it. The Astronaut Hall of Fame by a committee of current Hall of two astronauts used the same include: Joe Allen (top left), Fame astronauts, former NASA procedures two days later to who helped snare two officials and flight directors, secure Westar VI. Back on Earth, satellites in orbit; Bruce historians, journalists and other both satellites were refurbished McCandless (top right), the space authorities in a process for return to orbit. first astronaut to complete administered by the Astronaut On July 29, 1985, the Space an untethered spacewalk; and Gordon Fullerton, who Scholarship Foundation. Shuttle Challenger was 5 minutes helped the Space Shuttle The first inductee, Bruce and 45 seconds into flight when Challenger achieve its orbit McCandless, was 320 feet away one of its three main engines after a main engine shut from the Space Shuttle Chal- suddenly shut down. Mission down. lenger in February 1984 as he Control determined that by controlled himself perfectly by burning the two remaining triggering small jets that spit engines 86 seconds longer than experiments. Earlier, Fullerton corps for at least five years. A bursts of nitrogen gas from a the planned 8 minutes and 31 and Commander Jack Lousma candidate must be a U.S. citizen, pack on his back. It was the first seconds, Challenger could reach were at the controls when NASA-trained and must have successful test of an untethered orbit. “Abort to orbit,” control- Columbia took off March 22, orbited the Earth at least once. In astronaut spacewalk. lers radioed. 1982, on its third test flight. balloting, members evaluate how Three more successful tests of Fullerton skillfully super- To be eligible for Hall of he or she contributed to the the pack - one by McCandless vised the burning of the two Fame induction, an astronaut success and future achievements and two by Robert Stewart - working engines during the extra must have made his or her first of the U.S. Space Program in helped erase some of the concern time and settled into orbit. The flight at least 20 years before post-flight assignments. For the astronauts felt after the crew of seven astronauts then the induction year and must be information, visit failure of communications settled in for a week of scientific retired from NASA’s astronaut www.kennedyspacecenter.com.

Environmental and Energy Awareness John F. Kennedy Space Center Week celebrates 'Progress and Challenges' he annual KSC Environmental and Energy Awareness Spaceport News Week activities will take place April 20-21 with the theme T“Progress and challenges since the initial Earth Day Celebration in 1970.” There will be more than 35 exhibitors, six Spaceport News is an official publication of the Kennedy Space Center and tours and various alternative-fueled vehicles on display. is published on alternate Fridays by External Relations in the interest of KSC civil The event kicks off with a breakfast April 20 at 8:30 a.m. in service and contractor employees. the Space Station Processing Facility cafeteria. Tickets will be Contributions are welcome and should be submitted two weeks before on sale for $4. Tickets will not be available in the cafeterias or publication to the Media Services Branch, IDI-011. E-mail submissions can be lobbies of each facility; watch for the announcements on ticket sent to [email protected] sales. Following the breakfast, various exhibitors will be set up Managing editor...... Bruce Buckingham Editor...... Jeff Stuckey in the Operations and Checkout Building front parking lot from Copy editor ...... Corey Schubert 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. On April 21, an exhibit area will be set up in the Vehicle Assembly Building parking lot E. Editorial support provided by InDyne, Inc. Writers Group. Visit http://eeaw.ksc.nasa.gov for details. NASA at KSC is located on the Internet at http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy USGPO: 733-049/60079